Hundreds of demonstrators - including young Scouts and Morris dancers - took to the streets of Abbey Wood in protest to Crossrail’s expansion behind a much-loved church.
Morris dancers took to the streets in protest alongside the Abbey Wood community
St Benet's Catholic Church, in Abbey Grove, is used by community groups, as well as congregations, who have been left "troubled" by the development that has blocked two fire exits - rendering the venue defunct.
Our photographers caught up with the group at the end of the staged protest starting at Abbey Grove
Kieran McDonnell, 33, of St Benet's, has been leading protest group, "Cross with Crossrail," to find a solution to the works that have allegedly reduced the capacity of the community space - from 300 to just 20.
TOP STORIES: Mr McDonnell, who also runs London's last Baden-Powell Scout group at the church, said: "It was brilliant.
"There was chanting and it felt like we had actually done something.
He added: "You have to throw intelligence at this."
The protest march took place on November 15 and brought community groups from across Kent and London together.
Cross with Crossrail has been a loud voice against the works carried out by Crossrail
It is believed that 300 - 400 people gathered for the demonstration.
Crossrail, a subsidiary of Transport for London (TfL), was given the land after TfL pushed through a compulsory purchase order, enabling the group to start construction back in September.
The crowds that gathered were objecting to two north Kent train tracks that have been moved towards the church to accommodate space that Crossrail says is needed.
The scout troop with Kieran McDonnell leading from the front
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We understand the frustration of the local church and are working hard with them to try to find a solution to the problem.
"We have tried to minimise the impact of our work in the local area as far as possible, but without this piece of land we would not have room to fit in the two new Crossrail tracks."
According to Crossrail, a new station and 12 extra trains will journey across London and the south east from 2018.
Kieran McDonnell has been the driving force in the Cross with Crossrail pressure group
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